The Manufactured Housing Forums

I have a Seasonal MH in a park in South Florida, it is seven years old & is a 'Homes of Merit.'
It has Thermopane windows. I replaced several last winter after noticing that the seal had failed. The window was a Kinro 9750 Series, Vinyl Vertical Slider.

I noticed that the homes purchased by the park owner over the past four years are now all vinyl single pane windows. (The window pane is vinyl not glass as mine is)
My question is are the Thermopanes a better window or is there an inherent failing in using thermopanes in sub tropical climates & that is why the developer has changed to vinyl single pane...or is he "just on the cheap?"
Any input from others that has noticed this trend is greatly appreciated.

One thing I did find out from the previous owner was that in trying to keep the home cooler & thus save power consumption while "up north" a few summers back, he placed styrofoam in the rear of the inside of the windows, the sills must of heated up as they turned a yellow color, possibly the heat was so intense that it cooked the rubber seals in the Thermopanes...just a thought.

Thermopanes are still the top of the line window.

No reason anyone knows of not to use them in places like South Florida?
I guess it must be a economy move by the park developer to order plastic single pane windows in the new units.

The only reason not to use them in new homes is that the seals almost always wear out and some experienced home owners do not want them for that reason but prefer storm windows instead..Of course cost is sometimes a consideration as well..

I'd guess you don't have the insulation need that double-pane windows provide. Here in cold, rainy Oregon we do have that need; so far, our windows are just fine (but have not been exposed to the heat/humidity combo that Florida provides).

Mac; Well the need is there in the opposite sense in that keeping the heat out in the summer is a big thing in order that the A/C will be kept to a minimum.

Know what you mean re keeping the heat in as we come from a very cold climate in the Canadian Maritimes & pretty well everyone has Thermopane windows.

Are the plastic windows you are refering to the new high impact windows? These are expensive windows but you don't need storm shutters with these. These windows can still break but won't shatter.

Thermopane Windows have been in our homes for years in Florida. If you get at good quality window with Low E you save a lot of money on your electric bill. It also cuts down on noise. There is a big difference is you only have single pane windows.